Below is Janet Heisey, Senior Program Associate for Asia, Trickle Up Programme views on Apna Rozgaar Programme

On a recent visit to Family Of Disabled (FOD), a partner agency of the Trickle Up Programme, the organisation I work for, I met an inspiring woman named Anita Bakshi. Since becoming an FOD client, Anita had seen significant changes in her and her family's lives as a result of her small business. She had opened a roadside stall selling mineral water, tobacco, biscuits and cigarettes. Her business was doing very well, and she was well positioned at a busy intersection to bring in customers. No doubt many were drawn in by her radiant smile.

Her business was already so profitable that her husband had quit his job at a chemist's shop to help her full-time. The family had also recently moved into a new, safer area and Anita was delighted to have separate rooms and kitchen.

Trickle Up is a US-based organisation that helps the lowest income people worldwide, take the first step up out of poverty by providing conditional seed capital and business training essential to launch of a small business. Family Of Disabled has been a Trickle Up Partner Agency for three years. Trickle Up helps some of the poorest of the clients; they serve, to start their own businesses.

The success of entrepreneurs like Anita depends upon the dedication of FOD staff members, who visit them, monitor their business and offer suggestions for improvement, and most importantly, determine if they require additional services. In Anita's case, FOD helped her obtain a tricycle, modified for her needs that she uses to travel to and from her shop every day.

I was very pleased to see the results of a successful partnership with FOD, and how the additional services they are offering clients like Anita are helping strengthen their business and improve their lives. I was also pleased to meet all the staff at Family Of Disabled. I now understand that the dedication FOD staff feels to the people they serve, is grounded in their strong commitment and determination.